October 2, 2003

About child care

Faculty, staff and student parents are invited to an open house and registration event at the McGaw YMCA Child Care Center in Evanston from 8 to 10 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 7.
The McGaw Child Care Center is located in Evanston at 1420 Maple Ave. near the main YMCA building.

Enrollment of Northwestern families at the McGaw YMCA Child Care Center grew 52 percent for the 2003-04 academic year, bringing the total number of Northwestern-enrolled children to nearly 80.

Since the Northwestern and YMCA agreement began last October, the largest enrollment increase has been seen in the center’s full-time child care and preschool program. This is due in part to the YMCA’s ability to accommodate the specific needs of Northwestern families by expanding its infant and toddler program.

Northwestern children make up about 35 percent of the center’s total full-time child care enrollment.

Beginning this fall, the center expanded its infant program from 26 to 32 spaces and doubled its toddler program based on interest from the Northwest-ern community.

Limited spaces are still available in the full-time infant, toddler and some full-time preschool programs. In addition, some remaining Northwestern-funded fee assistance is available to eligible faculty and staff based on income and family size.

To tour the facility, meet the staff and learn about the programs, call the center at (847) 475-8580 or visit www.ymcacommunity.net/mcgaw/.

Through its partnership with the McGaw YMCA Child Care Center, the University is sponsoring a fine arts enrichment program for children attending the preschool, child care and after-school programs.

The arts program will provide children the opportunity to explore and experiment with a variety of visual art media, music, drama and dance throughout the year.

The fine arts enrichment program will include an on-site visual arts program for infants through school-age children; a music and creative movement (drama) program for preschool children; a drama class for school-age children; and various arts-related field trips and on-site visits throughout the year. In addition, the center is planning a center-wide Fine Arts Festival for parents and children Nov. 15.

The program was designed jointly by YMCA and North-western representatives and was endorsed by a YMCA parent committee.

The Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account (FSA) is a pre-tax savings account to pay for eligible dependent care (day care, elder care) expenses. You can set aside up to $5,000 of your University earnings annually into your FSA account — money that is not subject to federal income or Social Security taxes. Then you are reimbursed for eligible dependent care expenses through your account. This can mean a substantial tax advantage for you.

Match the tax advantage with University matching funds. If your annual family income is less than $80,000, you may be eligible to receive University matched funds. Depending on your income level, you could receive up to $3,000 in matched funds annually.

To participate in FSA and/or the Match Program in 2004, you must enroll or re-enroll during Open Enrollment this fall. To find out more, call the benefits division at (847) 491-7513.